Staging
There is currently no formal staging system for Hairy Cell Leukemia. Doctors classify Hairy Cell Leukemia based on whether it is untreated, progressive, or refractory/recurrent.
Untreated
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Description
- Untreated Hairy Cell Leukemia includes all newly diagnosed patients who have not yet undergone treatment. These patients may have hairy cells in the blood and bone marrow, low blood counts, or an enlarged spleen.
Treatment
- Chemotherapy, targeted therapy, splenectomy.
Progressive
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Description
- Progressive Hairy Cell Leukemia includes all patients who have been treated with chemotherapy or had a splenectomy and one of the following applies:
- Increase in the number of hairy cells in the blood and bone marrow.
- Blood counts may be lower than normal.
Treatment
- Chemotherapy, biological therapy, splenectomy, clinical trials.
Refractory/Recurrent
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Description
- Refractory Hairy Cell Leukemia is any form of the disease that does not respond to treatment. The disease may be resistant from the beginning, or may become resistant during treatment. Recurrent Hairy Cell Leukemia is Hairy cell leukemia that comes back after being put into remission.
Treatment
- Chemotherapy, biological therapy, targeted therapy, high-dose chemotherapy, clinical trials.
